Sony 34XBR800 vs. 36HS510

My local Circuit City has both the Sony 34XBR800 (floor model) and 36HS510 (in box) listed for approx $1800. In researching these two, I'm a bit torn about which is the 'better' set.

This is my first HDTV-ready purchase. I'm leaning toward the hs510 for no better reason than that the xbr800 has been discontinued.

My main concern is that the 36hs510 may be missing some key piece of technology that I'm unaware of. The 16:9 format of the xbr800 looks great, but I figure it shouldn't be the deciding factor. I'll be using the tv for network programming through time warner digital cable and viewing dvd's.

I am not familiar with the 36” model Derek. The XBR800 models all have very fine pictures and that 24”, 16:9 model is a very fine set indeed. I would be cautious about buying any floor model. Showroom models are usually run at very high settings (high contrast, brightness, etc.) and this has a significant chance of shorting the life span of the display (especially in areas where warranties won’t help such as ‘burn-in’).

My main concern is that the 36hs510 may be missing some key piece of technology that I'm unaware of. The 16:9 format of the xbr800 looks great, but I figure it shouldn't be the deciding factor. I'll be using the tv for network programming through time warner digital cable and viewing dvd's.

The 36 inch TV will give just about the same widescreen image that the 34 inch 16:9 set would. And the 4:3 image on that widescreen set would be like a 27inch tv. If you watch alot of network programing I would definety get the 36 inch 4:3 television.

I'm leaning toward the hs510 for no better reason than that the xbr800 has been discontinued.

teh 34xbr800 is being replaced by the 34xbr910 which is supposed to be easily a better picture than current tubes. Also if you plan on HD in the future everything is widescreen and that is the way to go.

The wide zoom mode on the 34xbr800 is awesome and means you never have to have a 27" 4:3 picture.

Thanks for responses. I've been leaning in the hs510 direction anyhow partly due to the 4:3 mode in the XBR looking like a 27" screen and now due to the idea of the xbr floor model possibly being a bit burned out. Although the wide zoom of the xbr sounds promising.

Jack, my cable company does offer HDTV programming in addition to the HD cable boxes so I'll definitely be going that route.